A nylon exfoliating wash cloth is a long, thin strip of textured nylon fabric used in the shower in place of a washcloth or pouf. You wet it, add a little soap, bunch it up to build lather, and then either scrub with it in your hand or hold one end in each hand and pull it back and forth across your back. It exfoliates more than a cotton cloth, reaches the whole back, and dries quickly.
Where does it come from?
Long nylon wash towels are an everyday bath item in Japan and elsewhere in East Asia, and they are often sold as Japanese wash cloths or body wash towels. The idea is simple: a slightly rough, open-weave fabric that lathers well, scrubs lightly, and is long enough to reach behind you.
How to use it, step by step
- Wet your skin and the cloth with warm water.
- Add soap. A small amount of body wash, or a few rubs of a bar, goes a long way.
- Bunch and rub the cloth together to build a thick lather.
- Wash the front of the body with the cloth bunched in one hand, using light circular strokes.
- Do the back. Hold one end in each hand, pass the cloth behind you, and pull it side to side, as if drying your back with a towel. Move it from the shoulders down to the waist.
- Change the angle. Put one hand over a shoulder and the other at the opposite hip, and pull diagonally. Swap sides.
- Do the legs and feet, looping the cloth under each foot.
- Rinse your skin well.
- Rinse the cloth, wring it out and hang it up.
How does it compare with other tools?
| Tool | Exfoliation | Reaches the back | Drying |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nylon wash cloth | Light to medium | Yes | Fast |
| Cotton washcloth | Very light | No | Slow |
| Mesh pouf | Light | No | Medium |
| Exfoliating gloves | Medium | Partly | Medium |
| Long-handled brush | Medium to firm | Yes | Slow at the bristle base |
A nylon cloth in four colors
The Uexim nylon exfoliating body wash cloth is a nylon washcloth made for gentle skin polishing, which doubles as a back scrubber for hard-to-reach areas. The listing describes it as lightweight and quick-drying, and it comes in yellow, pink, blue or green.
How often should you use it?
- Normal skin: many people use one daily with light pressure. If your skin feels tight or looks red, cut back to a few times a week.
- Dry or sensitive skin: once or twice a week, with a very light touch.
- New to it: start with two or three times a week and see how your skin responds.
Let the lather and the fabric do the work. Hard scrubbing is not needed.
How do you care for the cloth?
- Rinse out all the soap after each use.
- Wring it and hang it spread out, so air reaches the whole length.
- Wash it weekly, by hand or in the washing machine inside a laundry bag. Skip fabric softener, which coats the fibers.
- Air dry. Avoid high dryer heat.
- Replace it when the texture goes flat, it frays, or it smells.
When should you not use one?
- On the face.
- On sunburned, broken or irritated skin, or over rashes.
- On inflamed breakouts.
- Straight after shaving or waxing.
- If you have a skin condition, check with a doctor first.
Frequently asked questions
Is a nylon wash cloth better than a loofah?
It reaches the back and dries faster. A pouf makes more foam and feels softer. It comes down to preference.
Does it feel rough?
It feels scratchier than cotton when dry, and softer once wet and lathered.
Can I use it with bar soap?
Yes. Rub the bar on the wet cloth a few times and bunch it to lather.
How long does one last?
Several months with regular washing and drying, depending on use.
The bottom line
Wet, lather, scrub lightly, and pull it across your back like a towel. Rinse it, hang it open to dry, and wash it weekly.
0 comments